When Francis “FX” Giaccio began his lawn mowing business in May,
the 11-year-old saw beyond the possibility of making enough money to buy a Lego
set or a new phone. He saw an opportunity.

“I always wanted to meet the president but I also wanted to mow
somewhere that's not a normal place,” he said. So he wrote a letter to the
White House, asking them to let him show the country what a kid his age could
do.

Giaccio mowed the lawn of the Rose Garden Sept. 15, maintaining
his concentration even as cameras flashed and the president himself came to check
on the young man’s progress.

“On behalf of Melania and myself, thank you for doing a great job
this morning! National Parks Service gives you an A+!” President Trump tweeted.
Later that day, Giaccio and his father, Greg, toured the White House, visiting
the Oval Office, the library and “scorch marks from the War of 1812,” said
Giaccio.

Giaccio is homeschooled and the oldest of four children. For the
past three years, he has been an altar server at St. James Church in Falls
Church.

"As one of our altar servers, I've known FX for quite a while,”
said Father Patrick L. Posey, pastor. “He takes his job at the altar very
seriously, so when I heard that he had written the president about his lawn
mowing business I was not surprised. I'm sure it was a thrill for him,
something I am sure he will remember for years to come.”

As fall approaches, Giaccio will offer his services for leaf
blowing and later for snow removal as well. When he grows up, he hopes to be a
Navy SEAL. “I just want to do something big,” he said.

Is mowing the White House lawn big? “Oh yeah,” said Giaccio.
“When was the last time a kid did that?”